Wigan StreetGames Network wins national award

Wigan StreetGames Network has won the Securing the Future award from national sports charity StreetGames in recognition of the project’s contribution to the local area.
Wigan StreetGames Network is a partnership of four organisations (Communities United Project, WLCT, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation and Leigh Centurions Community Foundation) working together to ensure sustainable community sport.
Read more on the WLCT website.

CUP Music Workshops

We are currently working with HOOT creative arts project to develop a project to deliver a series of music sessions for young people aged 12 – 19 years at various sites within Kirklees. The project has given young people the opportunity to try new instruments, write and perform their own music and use technology to record what they have created. The young people have been a mix of new people to music and more experienced musicians. The project has made a noticeable impact on the self-esteem and confidence of a number of young people taking part.

Working with KNH

“One of the best things about CUP's approach is the way that they always ensure they make contact with local tenants and residents associations in the areas where they are working and keep them informed about progress. We have seen that CUP can make a difference on our estates. By giving young people the opportunity to get involved in sports and other activities we are now beginning to see a reduction in incidents of criminal damage , vandalism & graffiti.” - Steve Wilkinson, Principal Manager, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing

Training & Education

CUP provides training and education programmes for young people and adult volunteers in order to harness their own interest and develop skills with opportunities to gain qualifications and work experience.

Sports Leadership

Ex Huddersfield Town star Andy Booth presented 8 people with certificates after successfully completing a sports leadership course run by Communities United Project (CUP). The level 2 Community Sports leadership award is a program of leadership training for people that promotes them working with younger children, teaching leadership skills through a range of games and activities. The programme was funded by the Crosland Moor and Netherton Community First Foundation panel.

Communities

It's said that any great movement can be traced back to a single conversation. In 1998, a single conversation between a London based Independent publisher and a Huddersfield based youth worker resulted in the securing of two years of funding for a pilot project that would harness the popularity of sport as a means of engaging young people. CUP as it has become known, was established by its two current directors Paul Lewis & Lesley Steel who, from its inception, have championed the crucial link between providing activities for young people and the provision of volunteering and developing opportunities for adults.

United

In areas where higher rates of crime, drugs and alcohol misuse, unemployment and educational underachievement combine to reduce the life chances and aspirations of young people – the ages 8-16 are a crucial time for providing positive interventions and widening perceptions of life choices. Initially through football, CUP- often by suggestion from clients or volunteers – has developed a number of initiatives in other sports as well as music, arts, dance & drama. CUP also works with schools to offer support and advice to teachers and develop both curriculum and after-school activities.

Project

CUP attributes its success to its holistic approach to working with communities in areas of deprivation that are often characterised by high rates of anti-social behaviour and a perceived lack of community cohesion. CUP approaches working in any new area from the point of view that the best solutions are found from within, recognising that local residents themselves have an abundance of untapped knowledge and skills. CUP works to empower local adult volunteers by providing support and resources that enable them to acquire the skills to develop activities for young people in the communities.

Harnessing the popularity of sport as a means of engaging young people.